Deception

Where was Mark? she wondered, her agitation building. He should have been here an hour ago. She crossed the room in long-legged strides and pressed the intercom.

“Andrea?”

“Yes, Ms. Powers?”

“Has Mark arrived yet?”

“He just walked in.”

“As soon as he’s ready, would the two of you come in? You’ll need to bring your Dictaphone, Andrea. I want every word recorded. And buzz Stacy also.”

“Yes, Ms. Powers.”

Terri returned to her desk just as her private line rang. “Terri Powers,” she answered.

“Ms. Powers, this is Mr. McPhearson’s secretary.”

“Oh, yes. I wasn’t expecting a call. Is there a delay in the meeting time?” She immediately flipped open her plan book, hugging the phone between her shoulder and her ear, pen poised and waiting.

“Uh, Ms. Powers—Mr. McPhearson wants me to inform you that he’s changed his mind about the campaign.”

“What?” She dropped the pen between the ivory pages. “I don’t understand. Everything was set.”

“That’s all the information I have, Ms. Powers.”

“Let me speak with Mr. McPhearson.” Her pulse pounded in her ears.

“He’s in a meeting.”

Terri would have laughed at the practiced line if she wasn’t so furious. “Would you have him call me as soon as he’s through?”

“He’s leaving directly for the airport when the meeting concludes.”

“I see.” Terri swallowed, her back stiffening. “Thank you.”

Blindly she hung up the phone, a sinking feeling taking over. This deal was critical. She couldn’t believe that McPhearson would pull out, just like that. There had to be some explanation, and she was damn sure going to find out what it was.

She paced the floor, her teeth biting her bottom lip, trying to contemplate a course of action.

There was a light tap at the door.

“Come in,” Terri said offhandedly.

Stacy stepped in.

“All ready for the big boys?” Stacy asked. She took a seat at the round conference table on the far side of the office.

Terri blew out an exasperated breath. “McPhearson’s secretary called.”

“About what?” Stacy took a sip of black coffee and tossed her blond hair behind her ears.

“It wasn’t what I wanted to hear. They reneged.”

“What?”

“You heard right. They pulled out,” Terri said.

“But why? They couldn’t have gotten a better deal if they’d whipped it up themselves.”

“Apparently they did.”

“I don’t believe it.” She ran a hand through her hair.

“Neither do I.”

“So now what?”

Terri raised her eyebrows. “I’ll have to think it through and explore some other options. We’ll really have to push for a confirmation with Viatek Studios. I want you to work on that right away.”

Stacy nodded and jotted down some hasty notes. “Does Mark know about McPhearson?”

“I haven’t seen Mark yet.”

“This was his advertising deal originally, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” Then almost as an afterthought, she added, “And so was the account that fell through with Conners, the independent producer,” in a voice filled with awakening.

She turned to Stacy, her eyes burning with purpose. “As soon as I inform Mark that the deal has been canceled, I want you and I to go over Mark’s files with a fine-tooth comb, as he puts it. I went over the books last week, and there are things that don’t make sense. I thought it was because I was tired but now I wonder…”

Stacy nodded, her sea-green eyes reflecting Terri’s concern. “I’ll see what else I can dig up from the logs,” Stacy added just as Andrea peeked her head in the door.

“Mark is here, Ms. Powers.”

“Tell him to come in, Andrea.”

Mark strolled in moments later, his light brown eyes shifting from one woman to the other. “Why the long faces?” He walked over to the water cooler and filled a paper cup.

“McPhearson canceled the deal,” Terri stated. She watched for his reaction.

“You’re kidding? I worked weeks on that deal.” He ran his index finger around the collar of his shirt.

She registered the move. “I’m sure you did.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means we’ll have to do some rearranging of our finances.”

“Well, if you’d accept Steele’s proposal we’d—”